1 Kings 10:2 kjv
And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.
1 Kings 10:2 nkjv
She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels that bore spices, very much gold, and precious stones; and when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was in her heart.
1 Kings 10:2 niv
Arriving at Jerusalem with a very great caravan?with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones?she came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on her mind.
1 Kings 10:2 esv
She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels bearing spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind.
1 Kings 10:2 nlt
She arrived in Jerusalem with a large group of attendants and a great caravan of camels loaded with spices, large quantities of gold, and precious jewels. When she met with Solomon, she talked with him about everything she had on her mind.
1 Kings 10 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Ki 3:12 | "I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never be anyone like you..." | God's promise of exceptional wisdom to Solomon |
| 1 Ki 4:29-30 | "God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding... greater than all the wisdom of the East..." | Extent of Solomon's divinely granted wisdom |
| 1 Ki 10:1 | "When the Queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord..." | The global renown of Solomon's wisdom |
| 1 Ki 10:6-7 | "The report I heard in my own country was true... you have far exceeded the report I heard." | The Queen's validation of Solomon's fame |
| 1 Ki 10:23-24 | "King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom... all the earth sought his presence..." | Solomon's unmatched wisdom attracted all nations |
| 2 Chr 9:1 | "When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions..." | Parallel account, emphasizing her quest for wisdom |
| Ps 72:10-11 | "May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render tribute... kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts." | Prophecy of kings bringing tribute to a righteous king (Messianic) |
| Isa 60:6 | "All those from Sheba shall come; they shall bring gold and frankincense..." | Prophecy of future Gentile nations bringing wealth to God's people |
| Mt 2:11 | "opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh." | Magi's precious gifts to the Messiah (Jesus) |
| Mt 12:42 | "The queen of the South will rise up... for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here." | Jesus referencing Queen of Sheba seeking wisdom, pointing to Himself as greater |
| Lk 11:31 | "The queen of the South... came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here." | Luke's parallel of Jesus' reference to Sheba and His own supremacy |
| Prov 1:2-5 | "To know wisdom and instruction... A wise man will hear and increase learning..." | The purpose and value of seeking wisdom |
| Prov 2:1-6 | "If you call out for insight... then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God." | Seeking God's wisdom requires diligence and humility |
| Jer 29:13 | "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." | Importance of seeking God wholeheartedly |
| Ps 62:8 | "Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him..." | Encouragement to express one's inner thoughts to God |
| Phil 4:19 | "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." | God's abundant provision and wealth |
| 2 Cor 9:8 | "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that... you may abound in every good work." | God's enabling grace leads to abundant blessing |
| 1 Chr 29:11-12 | "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness... both riches and honor come from you..." | Acknowledgment that all wealth and honor originate from God |
| Prov 25:2 | "It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out." | Kings' role in diligent inquiry and understanding |
| Acts 17:11 | "Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica... examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." | An example of earnest inquiry and heart-driven search for truth |
1 Kings 10 verses
1 Kings 10 2 Meaning
The Queen of Sheba, drawn by reports of King Solomon's legendary wisdom and prosperity, arrived in Jerusalem with an exceptionally grand entourage. This retinue was accompanied by valuable gifts, including an immense quantity of aromatic spices, substantial gold, and precious gemstones, signifying her vast wealth and the high esteem in which she held Solomon. Upon her audience with him, she engaged him in a deep and personal conversation, sharing all the complex questions, dilemmas, and mysteries that she had been pondering. Her objective was not merely polite diplomacy, but a genuine quest for profound insights and answers that only Solomon's God-given wisdom could provide.
1 Kings 10 2 Context
1 Kings chapter 10 details the visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon. Her journey to Jerusalem is the climactic external validation of Solomon's wisdom and glory, which were divinely bestowed upon him as recorded in 1 Kings 3. This chapter emphasizes the fulfillment of God's promises of unparalleled wisdom, riches, and honor for Solomon (1 Ki 3:13; 4:29-30). Her magnificent gifts and profound admiration solidify Jerusalem's position as a global center of divine wisdom and material prosperity under Solomon's reign, illustrating the far-reaching influence of God's blessings. Historically, the narrative highlights the flourishing trade routes and diplomatic interactions in the ancient Near East, with significant figures traveling vast distances for political alliances, commercial opportunities, and the pursuit of knowledge. The Queen's journey from a prosperous South Arabian kingdom underlines the universal appeal of wisdom, contrasting earthly splendor with divinely inspired insight.
1 Kings 10 2 Word analysis
- And she came to Jerusalem: Marks a deliberate journey towards the heart of Solomon's kingdom. Jerusalem, as the city where God's temple stood, represents the center of spiritual and administrative power under Solomon. Her coming validates the fame of God's dwelling place.
- with a very great retinue: The Hebrew word chayil (חיל) here suggests not just a large company, but also indicates strength, wealth, and power. This implies a significant procession, reflecting the Queen's status, wealth, and perhaps an expectation of a secure journey, typical of a powerful monarch. It underscores the importance of the diplomatic mission.
- with camels bearing spices: Camels were the primary beasts of burden for long-distance desert travel. Spices (Hebrew: besem), specifically costly aromatic resins like frankincense and myrrh, were primary exports of the Arabian Peninsula, indicating the source of the Queen's kingdom (likely ancient Sheba in modern Yemen). These were highly valued in ancient economies for perfumes, incense, medicines, and embalming.
- and very much gold: Gold (Hebrew: zahav) was a universal symbol of wealth, power, and tribute. The emphasis on "very much" indicates an extraordinary amount, befitting a royal visitor and reflecting the abundance of her own kingdom's resources or trade. This serves to acknowledge and match Solomon's own legendary wealth.
- and precious stones: Hebrew 'even yeqarah (אֶבֶן יְקָרָה) denotes valuable, rare, and exquisite stones. Like gold and spices, these were symbols of immense wealth and luxury. Their inclusion highlights the opulence and high value of the gifts brought. These treasures attest to the magnitude of the Queen's personal and national wealth.
- and when she was come to Solomon: Her ultimate destination and focus was not just Jerusalem, but King Solomon himself. This highlights that it was Solomon's reputation, stemming from God's wisdom in him, that was the primary attraction.
- she communed with him: The Hebrew dibber (דּבּר) means to speak or converse, but in this context, it implies a deep, earnest, and prolonged conversation rather than a mere exchange of pleasantries. It suggests an intellectual and philosophical engagement.
- of all that was in her heart: This phrase (Hebrew: kol 'asher 'im levavah) signifies a genuine, heartfelt pouring out of her deepest thoughts, questions, perplexities, and perhaps even riddles. It was not merely superficial conversation but an intellectual and spiritual seeking, indicative of her sincerity in her pursuit of wisdom from a divinely endowed king. This suggests she was seeking answers to profound issues that troubled or fascinated her.
1 Kings 10 2 Bonus section
The account of the Queen of Sheba's visit, starting with this verse, carries layers of significance beyond its historical context. The immense wealth she brought can be seen as a foreshadowing of the nations' future drawing to Jerusalem and offering their riches to the Lord, as depicted in prophetic texts like Isaiah 60. The Queen's journey from "the ends of the earth" (Mt 12:42) to seek wisdom points allegorically to the Gentiles' future turning to God through Christ, the greater Solomon, who embodies all wisdom (Col 2:3). Her open-hearted quest for answers contrasts sharply with those who possess the divine wisdom of Christ yet fail to recognize or acknowledge it. The scene establishes that genuine wisdom, whether found in a king or, more fully, in Christ, commands profound reverence and seeks to address the deepest yearnings of the human heart.
1 Kings 10 2 Commentary
1 Kings 10:2 vividly describes the arrival of the Queen of Sheba, driven by Solomon's global fame, which ultimately reflected God's glory through him. Her procession was not just an impressive display of wealth through vast quantities of gold, spices, and precious stones, but also a strategic diplomatic mission from a powerful trade partner. Most significantly, her purpose transcended material exchange; she sought Solomon's unique, God-given wisdom, evident in her deep, unreserved conversation where she poured out "all that was in her heart." This verse therefore serves as a testament to the irresistible allure of divine wisdom, attracting even powerful gentile monarchs to God's chosen king. It underscores that true wisdom, derived from God, surpasses all earthly treasures and human understanding, proving itself as the ultimate attraction for those seeking truth and meaning.